Syracuse splits doubleheader, losing to Samford before holding off Central Michigan

For the second straight day, Syracuse (2-2) split a doubleheader at the Total Sports Control Invitational in Rosemont, Illinois, falling to Samford (4-0) 6-5 before defeating Central Michigan (0-2) 3-2.

Junior Jocelyn Cater struck out 15 in 11 innings on the day, getting the decision in both games.

Sophomore Sydney O’Hara started the opener against Samford, giving up five runs, four earned, in three innings.

Up 1-0, Samford brought across four runs in the third. Heading into the bottom of the fourth, Samford pitcher Mollie Hanson hadn’t given up a hit.

After SU shortstop Sammy Fernandez walked to lead off the inning, first baseman Danielle Chitkowski drove her in with two outs. In its next trip to the plate, SU scored four runs.

Center fielder Mary Dombrowski singled to lead off the inning and two batters later, right fielder Maddi Doane doubled her home. After a Fernandez single, third baseman Corinne Ozanne knocked Doane in. After a groundout, O’Hara doubled, sending Fernandez and Ozanne across the plate, tying the score at five.

Cater, who entered the game in the fourth, didn’t give up a hit until the seventh inning, when she gave up three consecutive singles to load the bases. Samford designated hitter Caroline Wilder walked, sending home the go-ahead run. SU couldn’t answer in the bottom of the inning.

After facing 16 batters in the first game, Cater started the second against Central Michigan, giving up two runs in a complete game.

Doane walked to lead off the third before Fernandez reached on a fielder’s choice. Next, Ozanne homered to left center, making it 2-0 Syracuse. Ozanne had three RBIs on the day.

Cater didn’t allow a hit until the third and didn’t allow a run until the sixth. After a single, CMU third baseman Trista Cox homered to center, tying the game at two.

Doane led off the top of the seventh by getting hit by a pitch. Again, Fernandez reached on a fielder’s choice before advancing to second on a wild pitch. After a walk, catcher Julie Wambold reached on an error by right fielder Kristen Kuhlman, allowing Fernandez to score the game-winning run.

Cater struck out two of three in the bottom of the inning to close it out for Syracuse.

Compiled by Jack Rose, staff writer, jlrose@syr.edu